“She’s amazing,” Hale murmurs while pulling me back to his body.
“Also, the hybrid law has been appealed, changed, and is going into effect soon. Licensed parents will be allowed to care for hybrid children. They can be adopted as soon as next week,” Hale says into my ear.
“What?” I gasp.
All air leaves my lungs, and my heart forgets to beat.
“After the incident with Ty, the council decided it was in the best interest to abstain from any cruel punishment not fitted for other breeds, and their lives had to be impacted in a more positive way if we wanted them to grow up with any sanity left in them. They never want what happened a month ago to happen again.”
More tears fall, and Hale wipes them from my eyes before kissing my forehead.
“Gifted hybrids will still have to join the United, but they will receive more time for leave. The unaligned have relinquished all rights to their hybrids for fear of meeting you,” Clay chuckles out.
“I wish they didn’t have to join the United,” I sigh. “At least not out of force.”
“It’s for safety purposes - theirs and ours. They need people acquainted with the savage to care for them. They need a place they can rid themselves of excess energy we all know builds up. It’s a way to give them a sense of belonging as well. No one needs to feel superior or inferior in our world.” Then he leans over to whisper only to me. “Not everyone with immense power has the ability to keep themselves grounded the way you do.”
I know he’s right, but it still sucks to know they don’t have that choice.
Greta walks up, and I smile at her as she hugs me tighter than I thought she ever would.
“I’m so happy for you,” she murmurs softly. “I’ll be happy when it’s my son one day too,” she whispers almost too faintly for even me to hear.
I sure as hell never thought I’d hear that leaving her lips.
Apparently Brazen has confided in her quite a bit for her to know that little tidbit. I’m sure he needed someone to talk to though, and Greta has proven to be trustworthy.
“Thank you, Greta,” I graciously offer.
“No, thank you, dear girl,” she whispers even quieter while holding out her hand in the full glow of the sun shining through the windows. “I never once thought this to be a possibility. By the way, your food is incredible.”
I laugh lightly, but her sincere tears stream as they float down her face. Brazen’s father, Miles, walks up and stands basking in full glow while facing the windows, unaware it was my blood which blessed him with that ability. I smile lightly as the other full bloods all do the same, feeling the sun they’ve always cowered from.
“The cure has worked perfectly,” Clay says with a twinge of pride.
“Indeed. You truly are an incredible commander. You don’t have to worry about ever getting voted out of your position. No one else will ever fill your shoes,” Greta says with adoration.
“I can think of one who will have to one day,” he says while looking at me.
I’m not having this argument again.
Clay is convinced I’ll be the one to take over when his span ends, and he has the whole damn council on my ass about committing to it.
“She will be incredible,” Hale murmurs while pulling my face to meet his.
I smile against his kiss, and Greta giggles lightly while running her hand down my arm and clutching my hand one last time before walking away. I feel the crackling of paper in place of her hand when she’s gone, and my eyes stray from the beautiful hybrid kissing me to the tiny note tucked inside my fist.
Meet me in the courtyard,
Brazen
I take in a breath as my mind finally realizes that his was the only face absent at my wedding. I know this hasn’t been easy on him, and my heart almost breaks for the full blood who loved me despite the scrutiny he endured. He deserves so much better than I ever gave him. I pray he’s calling me out there to tell me he has changed his mind about waiting, though I know he never will.
“I need to go do something,” I murmur to Hale, and he looks at me quizzically before reading my eyes.
His lips tighten, but he gives me a nod, his blessing to go offer my full blood some closure for the time being.
The long corridor seems to grow in length as I cautiously make my way to the door, careful not to let my dress drag over the dusty steps leading to the outside. My breath leaves my lungs momentarily when I see the door standing between me and the man pining for me. I’m not sure if I’m ready to face him knowing he’ll be thinking of the wedding we never had.
